Days look numbered for Deodar II

Auckland's ageing police launch, Deodar II, is likely to be replaced within the next year or so.

The 14.7m Deodar II was launched in 1992 but police say that within 18 months plans should be well advanced to replace it, possibly with a multi-hull vessel.

Senior Sergeant Martin Paget, head of the Auckland Police Maritime Unit, said Deodar II originally had a top speed of 25 knots but it was getting a bit tired.

"We are considering making some changes, mainly as the role has changed over the last decade or so.

"Most of the work we do is rapid response and we are looking at response speeds and the gear we carry so it will probably be quite different from Deodar.

"It will have many of her features, the big one being able to go out in just about any conditions."

He said weight, speed and power-to-weight ratios had to be considered in the often rough Hauraki Gulf.

Deodar II has a cabin fitted for use as an ambulance and four babies have been born on board.

It was launched as a replacement for the original Deodar which was sunk at its berth in 1989 by a merchant ship.

The Auckland Police Maritime Unit covers 2000 square nautical miles, taking in the Hauraki Gulf, nearly 200 islands, including Great Barrier and Waiheke, and the Firth of Thames.

The area has about 100,000 vessels, nearly half New Zealand's total of 230,000 commercial and recreational craft.

- NZPA